WhatsApp Widget Comparison: Find the Best Plugin

We tested 6 WhatsApp chat widgets and plugins side by side across pricing, features, AI capabilities, and ease of use. See the full comparison and find the right one for your website.

6 plugins compared side by side
Real pricing, no hidden fees
Tested by our team in 2026
Andrew Lee David S. Vance W. Grant Nitesh Manav
from 159 reviews

€14

Boei starting price

6

Plugins compared

50+

Channels in Boei

5 min

Setup time

WhatsApp Chat Widget Comparison 2026

Side-by-side comparison of the most popular WhatsApp plugins

Feature Boei Chaty Elfsight GetButton Click to Chat WP Social Chat
Monthly price €14 $15 $5–$12 Free / $5 Free / $49 Free / $49
AI chatbot included Yes (2,000 msgs)
AI lead qualification ✓ Yes
Shared team inbox ✓ Yes
Built-in CRM ✓ Yes
Total channels 50+ 20+ 80+ 20+ WhatsApp only WhatsApp + FB
Contact forms ✓ Yes
Lead capture Name, email, phone, custom
Setup time 5 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes
GDPR / EU servers Yes (Amsterdam)
Analytics Full dashboard Basic Basic views None Google Analytics None
Branding removal Included $15/mo $12/mo Paid plan $49/yr $49/yr
Free trial 7 days (full features) Free tier Free tier Free tier
Works on any website ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes WordPress only WordPress only

Boei is the only WhatsApp widget that includes AI, a shared inbox, and CRM. Other plugins are simple click-to-chat buttons — they open WhatsApp but don't help you qualify leads, manage conversations, or track results. If you just need a basic WhatsApp button, free plugins work. If you want WhatsApp to actually generate and convert leads, Boei is the clear choice at €14/month.

Detailed Plugin Analysis

Boei — Best Overall WhatsApp Widget

Boei is more than a WhatsApp button — it's a complete customer communication platform. At €14/month, you get a WhatsApp chat widget with an AI sales agent that qualifies leads, a shared team inbox for managing conversations, a built-in CRM for tracking leads, and 50+ additional channels (Messenger, Instagram, forms, phone, email). The AI trains on your website automatically and handles 70% of inquiries without human involvement.

Where Boei stands apart from every other plugin on this list is intelligence. Chaty, Elfsight, and GetButton are essentially fancy buttons — they open a WhatsApp conversation but don't help you manage it. Boei's AI qualifies visitors before they even reach your team, captures contact details mid-conversation, and provides agent summaries for seamless handoffs. For businesses that want WhatsApp to generate revenue, not just enable messaging, Boei is the clear choice. See the full feature breakdown.

Chaty — Decent Multi-Channel Button

Chaty is a popular chat button plugin that supports WhatsApp alongside 20+ other channels. At $15/month, it offers a clean floating button with basic customization. However, it's purely a click-to-chat tool — no AI, no inbox, no lead capture, no CRM. Visitors click the button and land in a standard WhatsApp conversation with no automation or qualification.

Chaty works well for businesses that literally just want a WhatsApp button and nothing more. The free tier is limited to 500 visitors/month and includes branding. For anything beyond basic messaging, you'll need additional tools — which adds complexity and cost.

Elfsight — Widget Library With WhatsApp

Elfsight offers a massive library of website widgets, including a WhatsApp chat button. The WhatsApp widget is clean and customizable, supporting pre-filled messages and business hours. Pricing starts at $5/month (Lite) to $12/month (Pro), but free tiers have aggressive Elfsight branding.

The main limitation: Elfsight is a widget builder, not a communication platform. There's no AI, no inbox, no conversation management. It's a button that opens WhatsApp — nothing more. For businesses using multiple Elfsight widgets, it can be convenient to add WhatsApp from the same dashboard. For dedicated WhatsApp functionality, purpose-built tools are better.

GetButton — Simple and Free

GetButton is a free multi-channel chat button that includes WhatsApp, Messenger, and other channels. It's simple, lightweight, and easy to install. The free tier works for basic use with GetButton branding. The paid plan ($5/month) removes branding and adds basic analytics.

GetButton is the best free option if you need nothing more than a WhatsApp button. It's lightweight (won't slow your site) and supports multiple channels. But like Chaty and Elfsight, there's no AI, no inbox, and no lead management. Comparing it to Boei is like comparing a doorbell to a receptionist.

Click to Chat — WordPress-Only Plugin

Click to Chat is a popular WordPress plugin with 400,000+ active installations. The free version offers a basic WhatsApp button with customization options. The Pro version ($49/year) adds analytics, multi-agent support, and advanced triggers.

If you're on WordPress and want a simple, free WhatsApp button, Click to Chat is a solid option. However, it only works on WordPress — no Shopify, Wix, or other platforms. The Pro version is overpriced for what it offers (basic analytics and multi-agent). For WordPress WhatsApp with AI and CRM, Boei is more complete. See our WordPress WhatsApp guide.

WP Social Chat — WordPress Social Widget

WP Social Chat is another WordPress-specific plugin that adds WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger buttons. The free version is basic; the Pro version ($49/year) adds customization and multi-agent features. It's similar to Click to Chat but with fewer installations and less community support.

For WordPress users who want a quick WhatsApp button, WP Social Chat works. For a full-featured solution with AI and lead management, it falls short. Check our full comparison or see pricing details.

What to Look For in a WhatsApp Widget

AI Capabilities

Does the widget just open WhatsApp, or does it come with AI that can answer questions and qualify leads? A basic button generates messages; an AI-powered widget generates qualified leads. Only Boei includes AI in its WhatsApp widget.

Conversation Management

Where do WhatsApp conversations go? With basic plugins, they go to one person's phone. Look for a shared inbox where your whole team can see, claim, and respond to messages. This prevents lost conversations and enables team collaboration.

Lead Capture & CRM

Can the widget capture lead information (name, email, company) during the conversation? Does it feed into a CRM? Without lead capture, WhatsApp conversations are ephemeral — you lose contact details when the chat ends.

Additional Channels

Not every visitor prefers WhatsApp. Look for widgets that include multiple channels in one installation — contact forms, Messenger, Instagram, phone, email. Boei includes 50+ channels; most competitors offer 1–20.

Privacy & GDPR

Where is data stored? Many plugins use US servers, which can create GDPR issues for European businesses. Look for EU hosting, no-cookies options, and clear privacy policies. Boei hosts in Amsterdam with zero-cookie mode.

Performance & Page Speed

Widget plugins can slow your website, hurting SEO and user experience. Test page load times before and after installation. Lightweight plugins (Boei, GetButton) add minimal load. Widget-heavy solutions (Elfsight with multiple widgets) can slow pages.

Best WhatsApp Widget By Use Case

Quick recommendations based on what you need

Best Overall

Boei — €14/month for WhatsApp + AI + inbox + CRM + 50 channels. The only widget that turns WhatsApp into a lead generation and conversion tool, not just a messaging button.

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Best Free Option

GetButton — Free with branding, $5/month without. Simple, lightweight, and supports multiple channels. Perfect if you literally just need a WhatsApp button and nothing else.

Compare Features

Best for WordPress (Free)

Click to Chat — Free WordPress plugin with 400K+ installs. Basic WhatsApp button with customization. Good for WordPress sites that need a simple, no-cost solution.

See WordPress Guide

Best for Ecommerce

Boei — AI-powered WhatsApp handles product questions, qualifies buyers, and routes hot leads to sales. Built-in CRM tracks every customer from first message to purchase.

Ecommerce Guide

Best for Teams

Boei — Shared inbox with round-robin routing. All team members see every WhatsApp conversation. AI generates summaries for handoffs. Unlimited seats at no extra cost.

See Features

Best for Small Business

Boei — €14/month flat covers WhatsApp, AI, and 50+ channels. No per-seat fees, no per-message costs. Perfect for businesses watching their budget but needing real functionality.

Small Business Guide

How to Choose the Right WhatsApp Widget

1

Define What 'WhatsApp Widget' Means for You

A basic WhatsApp button (Chaty, GetButton) just opens a chat window. An AI-powered widget (Boei) qualifies leads, manages conversations, and tracks results. If you're comparing these head-to-head, you're comparing different product categories. Decide whether you need a button or a business tool.

2

Calculate Total Cost Including Missing Features

A free WhatsApp button looks cheap until you add the inbox tool ($50/month), CRM ($30/month), and AI chatbot ($30/month) you need separately. Boei bundles all of this for €14/month. Always calculate the total cost of achieving your goals, not just the widget price.

3

Test on Mobile — That's Where WhatsApp Lives

70% of WhatsApp usage happens on mobile. Test how the widget looks and works on phones before committing. Does it load fast? Is the button positioned well? Does the transition to WhatsApp feel seamless? A beautiful desktop widget that's broken on mobile defeats the purpose.

4

Check Platform Compatibility

Some plugins (Click to Chat, WP Social Chat) are WordPress-only. If you're on Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, or a custom platform, choose a widget that works everywhere. Boei, Chaty, Elfsight, and GetButton all support multiple platforms.

5

Prioritize Data Ownership

With basic WhatsApp buttons, conversations live on WhatsApp's servers — you have no record, no analytics, and no CRM data. With Boei, every conversation is logged, analyzed, and searchable. If a lead messages you on WhatsApp, you should be able to find that conversation months later.

Why Businesses Choose Boei Over Simpler Widgets

WhatsApp Widget Comparison FAQ

What is the best WhatsApp widget for a website?

Boei is the best overall WhatsApp widget at €14/month. It includes AI that qualifies leads, a shared team inbox, built-in CRM, and 50+ additional channels. If you only need a basic WhatsApp button, GetButton (free) and Click to Chat (free, WordPress only) are simple options.

Is there a free WhatsApp widget?

Yes. GetButton and Click to Chat (WordPress) offer free WhatsApp buttons. However, free widgets typically lack AI, inbox management, lead capture, and CRM. They open a WhatsApp chat but don't help you manage or convert those conversations. Boei offers a 7-day free trial of the full-featured version.

What's the difference between a WhatsApp button and a WhatsApp widget?

A WhatsApp button simply opens a WhatsApp conversation when clicked. A full WhatsApp widget (like Boei) includes AI that answers questions, qualifies leads before they reach your team, a shared inbox for team management, lead capture, and CRM integration. The button starts the conversation; the widget turns it into business results.

Can I use a WhatsApp widget on Shopify?

Yes. Boei, Chaty, Elfsight, and GetButton all work on Shopify. Boei offers one-click Shopify installation. Click to Chat and WP Social Chat are WordPress-only and won't work on Shopify. See our Shopify WhatsApp guide for setup instructions.

Do WhatsApp widgets slow down my website?

Well-built widgets add minimal page load time (50–150ms). Boei and GetButton are lightweight. Elfsight can be heavier if you use multiple widgets. Always test page speed before and after installing any widget. A slow website hurts SEO and conversions more than the widget helps.

Which WhatsApp plugin has AI?

Among WhatsApp widgets, only Boei includes AI. Chaty, Elfsight, GetButton, Click to Chat, and WP Social Chat are click-to-chat buttons without AI capabilities. To get AI with other widgets, you'd need to add a separate AI chatbot tool — adding cost and complexity.

Can multiple agents handle WhatsApp with these widgets?

Only Boei includes a shared team inbox where multiple agents can manage WhatsApp conversations. With other widgets, messages go to one WhatsApp number on one phone. Click to Chat Pro and WP Social Chat Pro support multi-agent buttons (different numbers), but there's no shared inbox or routing.

Do I need a different plugin for each channel?

With Boei, no — one installation gives you WhatsApp plus 50+ other channels. With other tools, you may need separate plugins for WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and contact forms. This adds multiple scripts, increases page load time, and makes management harder.

Which WhatsApp widget is best for lead generation?

Boei is the only WhatsApp widget with built-in lead generation features. Its AI qualifies leads by asking about needs, budget, and timeline. It captures contact details mid-conversation and scores lead intent. Other widgets simply open a WhatsApp chat — useful for messaging, but not for systematic lead generation.

Are WhatsApp widgets GDPR compliant?

It depends. Boei is GDPR compliant with EU servers in Amsterdam and no-cookies mode. Most other widgets (Chaty, Elfsight, GetButton) are US-hosted, which may raise GDPR concerns. Click to Chat and WP Social Chat are self-hosted WordPress plugins, so compliance depends on your hosting. Always check where data is stored.

Can I customize the WhatsApp widget design?

All widgets offer some customization. Boei lets you customize colors, position, button style, welcome messages, and quick-reply prompts. Elfsight offers the most visual customization options. Chaty and GetButton provide basic color and position settings. Free versions of most plugins include provider branding.

Related WhatsApp Resources

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WhatsApp for Small Business

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WordPress WhatsApp

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Shopify WhatsApp

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Ready for a WhatsApp Widget That Actually Converts?

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